At the end of June, the Manhattan School for Career Development, at 113 E. Fourth St., gave out certificates to parents for “outstanding parent involvement.” The teenagers had 90 percent to 100 percent attendance this past school year — well above the city average — and the parents played a big role in helping achieve that impressive record. The school is in District 75, the citywide special education district for students with learning difficulties and emotional issues. Parents played a part by making wake-up phone calls to the students, among other things. “These students are special education — learning disabled and autistic,” said Maria Ayala, the school’s parent coordinator, in scooter, at right, above. “They face many challenges to learn, and coming to school for them is top priority. We always seem to be pointing out negative issues, but we also need to showcase positive involvement at schools.”
